LPD hopes to inform public through Twitter

Monday

Nov 11, 2013 at 12:01 AM

The Lexington Police Department is hoping to use a new avenue through technology to inform the public.

BY DARRICK IGNASIAKThe Dispatch

The Lexington Police Department is hoping to use a new avenue through technology to inform the public.The LPD created an account through Twitter about a month ago. It joins a number of agencies around the country that are using tweets to reach the community."We are excited about utilizing this current technology to get information out to our citizens," said Tad Kepley, chief of the LPD. Tweets from Lexington Police will be on items such as traffic problems or current events, the chief said. "Our goal would be to get that important information out as quickly as possible," he said.LPD Capt. Robby Rummage, who manages the Twitter account for the department, said the City of Lexington is committed to using new technology to communicate with its citizens. He explained Twitter is not the only avenue used by police to communicate with the public. Rummage said other ways his department does that include Community Watch, Police to Citizen Reports on the City of Lexington's website and through working with the media."Twitter is an additional avenue to maybe reach some we haven't been reaching with the current efforts," he said. "We want to have up-to-date information as far as things that are happening. … Our hope is that people will retweet and people can get information straight from us."As of late Friday afternoon, the LPD has 27 followers on its Twitter account. Twitter users can follow the LPD @LexingtonPD_NC."It seems to be growing each day," Rummage said. "It's really a work in progress. We are committed to it and committed to seeing it grow."Rummage said his agency may use Twitter to post information regarding suspects when there is an issue for public safety. "It's a good way to send a short, concise but important message to the public," the captain said.The captain explained the LPD wants the public to know as much as they can possibly know. "A well-informed citizenry is one of our biggest tools and hugest assets," he said.Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com. Follow Darrick on Twitter: @DispatchDarrick.